According to a recent Datamonitor survey, consumers worldwide are becoming increasingly interested in energy efficient cars. However, congestion remains a concern, and in an attempt to tackle this issue, a revolutionary new type of bus is set to be pilot tested in Beijing, which will address the problem by simply driving above passenger cars, without the need for a separate track.

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In a recent ruling, the Advertising Standards Authority concluded that Good Energy wrongly implied the direct supply of green electricity to its consumers, while in an unconnected claim Jersey Electricity successfully argued that it imported electricity only from EDF in France. Both rulings seem to point in different directions as to the regulator's opinion of direct supply of power to consumers.

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While home energy management systems are a useful way of reducing energy use, with benefits for consumers and utilities alike, the adoption of this technology is likely to be hampered by a number of factors including concerns over privacy and a lack of return on investment. As a result, uptake is likely to be optional and driven by sophisticated users and utilities struggling to meet peak demands.

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Having previously announced a collaboration with npower in June 2010, Arqiva has gone on to reveal partnerships with both BT Group and Detica. The deals will lend considerable weight to Arqiva's bid for the UK DataCommsCo role once Ofgem releases its smart meter prospectus. Indeed, Arqiva's existing wireless network and curiously British set of partners place it in an attractive position.

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The aviation industry is getting ready for its inclusion in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme as of 2012. In preparation, the industry is calling for a global carbon reduction mechanism, claiming that including flights into, within, and out of Europe creates unfair market conditions and "contributes virtually nothing" to efforts to cut global greenhouse gas emissions.

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The financial crisis has highlighted the fragility of banking business models which are based on high levels of risk and low reserves. In the aftermath of the crisis, many banks are aiming to demonstrate that sustainability is making its way onto their agendas. However, there is currently little evidence that this is indeed the case.

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Some of the world's biggest banks will make it increasingly difficult for companies involved in controversial industries to get funding for future projects. Growing environmental scrutiny is making it harder for lenders to finance polluting industries without suffering a blow to their reputation, but a continued focus on profit means improved lending for green ventures is far from guaranteed.

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UK energy regulator Ofgem has imposed a GBP1m penalty on British Gas for misreporting its business supply arm's electricity sales under the Renewables Obligation over a period of seven years. British Gas has agreed to retire 87,000 Renewables Obligation Certificates, leading to substantial opportunity costs. More seriously, however, the penalty may increase consumer skepticism of green claims.

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Suppliers across the UK are relying on partnership deals to get involved in the home electric vehicle charging market. British Gas's deal with Nissan and Pod Point is just the latest example of what may prove to be the archetypal strategy. Pod Point has developed the charging solution, while British Gas has avoided exposure to innovation risks and will be able to leverage its strengths.

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In the wake of the EU Climate and Energy Package, which mandates reductions in energy use and carbon emissions, many European governments and companies now include more sustainability criteria in their tenders. With its own updated procurement policy, BT aims to credibly reduce its carbon footprint beyond its own direct emissions. This move will help it to win tenders and increase market share.